Sustainability
Gilbane Selected to Lead $1 Billion Affordable Housing Redevelopment Project in Norfolk, Virginia
Gilbane Development Co. will lead the $1 billion affordable housing redevelopment project of Calvert Square and Young Terrace in Norfolk, Virginia, covering 55 acres and more than 1,000 housing units, with construction expected to start in 2027.
Wood Mackenzie: The 'sunset' of high-cost coal power may be extended
Wood Mackenzie's latest analysis shows that amid high electricity demand and slower-than-expected deployment of alternative energy, the global lifespan of coal power may be prolonged. In its 'high demand scenario,' coal power's peak could be delayed until 2030, four years later than in the base case. The report also warns that without investment in carbon capture and storage technology, carbon emissions from unabated coal power could increase by up to 2 billion tonnes, threatening the 2°C temperature control target.
Chicago Suburb School District Deploys Nation's First Dynamic Closed-Loop Geothermal Heat Pump System
North Shore School District 112 in Illinois, USA, has installed the nation's first dynamic closed-loop geothermal heat pump system at the 130-year-old Ravinia Elementary School. The system uses groundwater for efficient heat exchange, has a small footprint, is expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 30%, and leverages local, state, and federal incentives to offset 50% of the $6.7 million project cost.
Portland's $2.1 Billion Water Treatment Plant Approved to Resume Work After Nearly Five-Month Shutdown
The Portland Water Bureau announced on June 25 that the Bull Run Filtration Project has been approved to resume work after a nearly five-month legal dispute shutdown. The $2.1 billion project aims to meet state and federal drinking water standards and remove Cryptosporidium. Previously, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals overturned Multnomah County's environmental approval, but a hearings officer re-approved the original land use permit on June 23.
World's tallest wooden skyscraper breaks ground in Wisconsin
The Neutral Edison project has officially commenced in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with plans to top out in 2026 and welcome residents in 2027. The project employs a hybrid structural system and requires approval through alternative code provisions to meet fire safety requirements. The project is financed with $133.3 million, and the design team includes Forefront Structural Engineers and Thornton Tomasetti.
Arkansas's largest water plant launches $230 million upgrade
Arkansas's largest water treatment plant, the Jack H. Wilson Water Treatment Plant, has launched a $230 million first major overhaul aimed at enhancing water supply capacity and introducing modern treatment technologies.
Precision Investment and Technology Empowerment: A Sustainable Path for Critical Infrastructure
U.S. critical infrastructure faces pressures from aging, inadequate maintenance, and frequent extreme weather. At the Construction Innovation 2025 conference, experts called for a shift from 'restoring to original condition' to 'functional recovery,' using precision investment and technologies like AI and digital twins to improve the resilience and sustainability of infrastructure.
Meta signs geothermal agreement with XGS Energy to power New Mexico data center
Meta signed an agreement with XGS Energy to support the development of 150 megawatts of next-generation geothermal power capacity in New Mexico to supply electricity to its data center. The project will be built in two phases, expected to be fully operational by 2030, with a total investment of approximately $1 billion and significant job creation.